the labor department is asking defense company ceos to delay notifying employees, even though the law dictates that they must. and today lockheed martin says it won't issue layoff notices before the election as it had planned to do. . it said it receivered assurances from the white house that the money would not be cut in january. how is that possible? aren't the costs mandatory if we hit the fiscal cliff? well, yes, but the administration could prioritize based on any criteria it chooses. perhaps it will make sure funds go to ensure that thousands of lockheed employees in northern virginia, a key swing state won't lose their jobs. but contract in states like georgia or alabama, well, those assurances may not come. that's just my observation. before we go, that will do it for the "closing bell" today. the market, of course, higher at the close but off of the best levels of the afternoon. hope you'll follow me on twitter and